Broadcast spreading top dresser

ABSTRACT

A top dresser (10) includes a spinner assembly (40) removably connected by clips (44) to a cross beam (20) of the frame (12) mounting a hopper (30). The first and second sides (36) of the hopper (30) slope downwardly and inwardly to a conveyor (140) formed by sheeting (70) in the form of an endless belt having a relatively smooth outer surface. The valve (84) for the hydraulic motor (164) of the conveyor (140) is in series downstream of the valve (78) for the hydraulic motors (56) for the spinners (54) of the spinner assembly (40). Thus, it is not possible to mistakenly run the conveyor (140) without the spinners (54) operating. Therefore, the top dresser (10) is able to spread extremely minimal amounts of material evenly and without clumping or bunching.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for dispensingor spreading material, particularly to an apparatus for top dressingterrain, and specifically in a most preferred form to broadcastspreading top dressers.

Various apparatus exist for applying top dressing to the turf of golfcourses, lawns, football, baseball and soccer fields, parks,recreational areas, and the like, for applying calcined clay on baseballdiamonds, for sanding icy sidewalks and driveways, and for likeapplications of a ribbon of material at a preselected rate. Examples ofsuch apparatus are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,873 which has beenwidely and very successfully marketed under the trademark TURFCOMETE-R-MATIC and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,952 which has been widely andvery successfully marketed under various trademarks. With the increasingawareness of the importance of top dressing in turf management, anincreasing need exists for improved dispensers to allow the effective,efficient application of material with minimal damage to the turf andwith increased ease of operation.

Specifically during top dressing of selected turfs especially but notlimited to golf greens, it is necessary to spread the top dressingmaterial in an equal amount and specifically without clumps or buncheswhere top dressing material is dispensed at a higher rate than at otherlocations. Top dressers of the drop type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,438,873 and 5,307,952 have been highly effective at applying topdressing evenly to turf. However, such drop top dressers only dispensedtop dressing material across a width generally equal to the width of thetop dresser itself. As top dressing often occurred during daylight, itwas necessary to take the green out of play during the top dressingoperation and thus the width of the dispensed top dressing materialplays a major role in the number of passes required to top dress thegreen as well as the time required for the top dressing operation andthe time that the green was out of play. Further, such drop top dresserswere not very effective in spreading extremely minimal amounts of topdressing material.

Although broadcast spreaders are known for spreading seed andfertilizers, they have not penetrated the top dressing markets. Inparticular, prior commercially available broadcast spreaders typicallyutilized mesh type conveyors formed of hinged links formed of metal orsimilar material and forming an array of cells open at the top andbottom. Additionally, such broadcast spreaders were often driven by thepower take off of the towing vehicle, with the spinners and conveyorbeing driven together. As a result, material was often present on thespinners at initiation of spinner rotation such that material wasinitially dispensed in a clump and specifically at least at a rategreater than under normal operating conditions. Thus, prior commerciallyavailable broadcast spreaders required a towing vehicle of considerablepower and including a power take off, dispensed material in an amountgreater than desired in a green top dressing function and unevenly atleast at the start of spinner operation, and included high wear and lowlife conveyor components requiring frequent maintenance and repair.

Thus, a need continues to exist for the application of extremely minimalamounts of material to turf and in a manner to reduce the number ofpasses required to top dress a width of such turf and to reduce theamount of time needed to perform such top dressing.

SUMMARY

This need and other problems in the field of top dressing are solved, inthe most preferred form, by providing a top dresser including ahydraulic system having the valve for providing hydraulic fluid flow tothe conveyor drive motor being in series downstream of the valve forproviding hydraulic fluid flow to the spinner motors so that it is notpossible to mistakenly run the conveyor without the spinners operatingand so that it is possible to clean the spinners of top dressingmaterial before additional material is dispensed from the hopper ontothe spinners.

In other preferred aspects of the present invention, the top dressingmaterial is conveyed to rotatable spinners by sheeting in the form of anendless belt located at the bottom of the hopper and having a relativelysmooth outer surface including relatively small depressions of a sizegenerally corresponding to the particle size of the top dressingmaterial being dispensed.

In other preferred aspects of the present invention, the spinnerassembly is removably mounted to the top dresser frame by a clipincluding a front plate for abutting with the rear face of a frame crossbeam, a top plate for abutting with the top face of the frame crossbeam, and a latching plate for abutting with the front face of the framecross beam while the cross beam and clip are secured together by a pinmember so that the top dresser can become a dump cart for haulingmaterial.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel topdresser.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveltop dresser for spreading extremely minimal amounts of top dressingmaterial.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveltop dresser for spreading top dressing material evenly including atinitiation of the top dressing operation.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveltop dresser of the broadcast type. It is further an object of thepresent invention to provide such a novel top dresser allowing thespinners to be cleaned before additional material is dispensed from thehopper onto the spinners.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveltop dresser where it is not possible to mistakenly dispense materialfrom the hopper onto the spinners while the spinners are not rotating.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveltop dresser including sheeting in the form of an endless belt having arelatively smooth outer surface for dispensing material from the hopperonto spinners.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a noveltop dresser including a removably mounted spinner assembly so that thetop dresser can become a dump cart for hauling material.

Surprisingly, all of the above objectives can be satisfied in the fieldof material dispensing by the illustrative embodiment of a top dresseraccording to the preferred teachings of the present invention, detaileddescriptions of which are described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a top dresser according to thepreferred teachings of the present invention, with portions being brokenaway to expose constructional details.

FIG. 2 shows a partial, exploded, perspective view of the top dresser ofFIG. 1, with portions being broken away to expose constructionaldetails.

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system for the topdresser of FIG. 1.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings ofthe present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respectto number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to formthe preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skillof the art after the following teachings of the present invention havebeen read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensionalproportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similarrequirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after thefollowing teachings of the present invention have been read andunderstood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numeralsdesignate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms "top","bottom", "first", "second", "inside", "outside", "end", "side","above", "longitudinal", and similar terms are used herein, it should beunderstood that these terms have reference only to the structure shownin the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings andare utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DESCRIPTION

A top dresser according to the preferred teachings of the presentinvention is shown in the drawings and generally designated 10. In thepreferred form, top dresser 10 includes a frame 12 having a drawbar 14by which top dresser 10 can be coupled to a towing tractor or utilityvehicle for pulling thereby in a direction. In the preferred form, frame12 is movably supported upon the ground by a pair of high floatationwheels 16. In the most preferred form, frame 12 includes a cross beam 20extending transversely generally perpendicular to the pulling directionof top dresser 10 and located at the back of frame 12 behind wheels 16.Cross beam 20 has a rear face, a top face, and a front face.

A hopper 30 for containing top dressing material is mounted on frame 12.Hopper 30 generally includes an open top 32, a closed floor or bottom34, first and second, sloping, closed sides 36, a back and a front. Inthe most preferred form, sides 36 extend at an obtuse angle outwardlyrelative to bottom 34.

In the most preferred form to advance material contained in hopper 30,sheeting 70 is utilized in a horizontally extending, endless beltconveyor 140 located at the bottom of hopper 30 such as generally of thetype shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,873, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference. Specifically, conveyor 140 is disposed so thatsheeting 70 in the form of an endless belt passes beneath hopper 30, soas to have gravitationally discharged thereon whatever material iscontained in hopper 30 that is to be used in dressing the turf. Sheeting70 in the form of an endless belt passes over a first, generallycylindrical roller rotatably mounted on a transverse, horizontal shaftwhich may be adjustable in a fore and aft direction. Conveyor 140further includes a second, generally cylindrical roller mounted forrotation on a transverse, horizontal shaft, with the second roller beingparallel to and horizontally spaced from the first roller. The secondroller is rotated by a hydraulic motor 164. Sheeting 70 passes over aplaten or bed plate that is fixedly supported by bottom 34 of hopper 30of top dresser 10, with the bed plate optionally including a coating orthe like to reduce friction between the bed plate and sheeting 70.

Conveyor 140 dispenses material from hopper 30 through the back ofhopper 30. Top dresser 10 further includes metering gate 72 movablymounted at the back of hopper 30 and movable relative to conveyor 140 tometer the amount of material being dispensed by sheeting 70.Specifically, gate 72 is movable away from conveyor 140 by any suitablemeans to create a larger gap for material to pass therethrough such asby pivotally moving gate 72 manually or by hydraulic actuators.

In the preferred form, sheeting 70 is formed from an endless belt havingan outer surface which is relatively smooth between sides 36 of hopper30 and in the most preferred form with the outer surface including ashallow pattern. Particularly, sheeting 70 includes relatively smalldepressions of a size generally corresponding to the particle size ofthe top dressing material which is typically dispensed by top dresser10. Specifically, in the preferred form, the depressions are of a sizeno longer than 0.20 inch (0.5 cm) in any direction and in the mostpreferred form are generally rectangular shaped of a length of 0.20 inch(0.5 cm) and a width of 0.15 inch (0.38 cm) and a depth of 0.05 inch(0.13 cm). Sheeting 70 in the preferred form is formed of rubber but canbe formed of other materials which are not subject to corrosion or otherdegradation by exposure to top dressing material such as plastic as longas the functional requirements for conveyor 140 are met.

Top dresser 10 according to the preferred teachings of the presentinvention includes a spinner assembly 40 for dispensing the materialcontained in hopper 30 to a width generally greater than the width ofhopper 30 and top dresser 10. According to the preferred teachings ofthe present invention includes generally a U-shaped support 42 removablysecured to frame 12. Particularly, in the most preferred form, first andsecond clips 44 are secured to the central portion of support 42 in aspaced relation such as by welding. Clips 44 each generally include afront plate 44a for abutting with the rear face of cross beam 20, a topplate 44b extending generally perpendicularly from front plate 44a for adistance generally equal to the thickness of cross beam 20, and alatching plate 44c extending generally perpendicularly downward from topplate 44b and parallel to front plate 44a. In the most preferred form,clips 44 are positioned with top plate 44b extending over the horizontaltop face of cross beam 20 and with latching plate 44c and front plate44a extending over the vertical front and back faces of cross beam 20,respectively. Clips 44 can be secured in position such as by bolts orsimilar pins 46 removably extending through cross beam 20 and clips 44.Rubber grommets 48 can be mounted in cross beam 20 for abutting withsupport 42 when secured to cross beam 20 by clips 44.

Assembly 40 further includes a carrier 50 pivotally mounted to support42 about a transversely extending carrier axis, such as between the freeends of the legs of support 42. Suitable provisions such as a lockablelever 52 pivotably mounted to support 42 and connected by suitablelinkage to carrier 50 can be provided to selectively position carrier 50at a desired pivotal angle relative to support 42.

Assembly 40 further includes a pair of spinners 54 rotatably mounted tocarrier 50 about spaced, parallel axes extending generally perpendicularto the carrier axis. Each spinner 54 has associated therewith ahydraulic motor 56 for rotating spinner 54 relative to carrier 50.Spinners 54 are located between carrier 50 and an upper sheet 58 held ina spaced, parallel relation to carrier 50 by a spinner guide 60. In themost preferred form, guide 60 is in the form of interconnectedsemicylindrical portions extending around the front and sides ofspinners 54. A dividing chute 62 is positioned on upper sheet 58 forreceiving material from conveyor 140 and generally directing thematerial dispensed from the transverse half of sheet 70 upon therespective spinner 54.

The machine functions including movement of sheeting 70 and rotation ofspinners 54 in top dresser 10 according to the teachings of the presentinvention are powered by a self-contained, nine horsepower, overheadvalve, internal combustion gas engine 64 suitably mounted to frame 12.Engine 64 drives a hydraulic pump 66 for drawing hydraulic fluid from astorage tank 68 and supplying it under pressure to a manifold block 76which directs hydraulic fluid to a first control valve 78. Valve 78splits the total flow in the preferred form of 6 gallons per minute intotwo paths ie a first path for hydraulic motors 56 of spinners 54 andbypassing motor 164 of conveyor 140 and a second path for hydraulicmotor 164 of conveyor 140 and bypassing hydraulic motors 56 of spinners54. Valve 78 has a mechanical stop to limit the flow to hydraulic motors56 to be less than the total flow of pump 66, and specifically about twothirds of the total flow and particularly in the preferred form at 4gallons per minute. The amount of the total flow passing to the firstpath controls the rotational speed of hydraulic motors 56. After passingthrough motors 56, the hydraulic fluid flow in the first path returns totank 68 via manifold block 76 and a filter 80 positioned intermediatetank 68 and manifold block 76. In the most preferred form, first andsecond pairs of quick disconnect hydraulic fittings 82a and 82b areprovided in the first flow path before and after hydraulic motors 56.One of the first pair of fittings 82a (such as the male fitting) iscarried by frame 12 while the other of the first pair of fittings 82a(such as the female fitting) is carried by spinner assembly 40. One ofthe second pair of fittings 82b (such as the male fitting) is carried byspinner assembly 40 and for receipt in the other of the first pair offittings 82a while the other of the second pair of fittings 82b (such asthe female fitting) is carried by frame 12 and for receipt in the one ofthe first pair of fittings 82a. Thus, spinner assembly 40 can be removedfrom top dresser 10 and allowing the first hydraulic flow path to gofrom valve 78 directly to tank 68 via manifold block 76.

A second control valve 84 is in the second path of valve 78 and thus isin series downstream of valve 78. In the most preferred form, valve 84is housed in manifold block 76. Valve 84 splits the hydraulic fluid fromthe second path between one or both of two flow subpaths. The firstsubpath is for hydraulic motor 164 of conveyor 140 and the secondsubpath is directly to tank 68 via filter 80 and bypassing motor 164 ofconveyor 140. As valve 84 is in series downstream from valve 78,hydraulic fluid flow is available to motors 56 of spinners 54 forrotating spinners 54 whenever hydraulic fluid flow is available to motor164 for advancing sheeting 70 and dispensing material from hopper 30.Valve 84 limits the flow to hydraulic motor 164 to be less than thetotal flow of pump 66, and specifically about one half of the total flowof pump 66, and particularly in the preferred form at 3 gallons perminute. The amount of the total flow passing to the first subpathcontrols the rotational speed of hydraulic motor 164. After passingthrough motor 164, the hydraulic fluid flow in the first subpath returnsto tank 68 via manifold block 76 and filter 80.

In the preferred form, normally open, electrically actuated solenoidvalves 86 and 88 are provided in manifold block 76 parallel to andallowing bypassing of valves 78 and 84, respectively, when in an opencondition. In the event of an electrical failure, valves 86 and 88prevent operation of all hydraulic functions. An adjustable pressurerelief valve 90 is further provided in manifold block 76 to reducehydraulic flow to valve 86 under higher than desired hydraulic pressure.

According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, valves84, 86, 88, and 90 are housed in manifold block 76. The use of a singlemanifold block 76 is highly beneficial in that it limits the number ofadapters and hydraulic hose lines. This minimizes leakage points and thechance of leakage which is especially important in turf management, andthis increases the efficiency of the hydraulic system.

Now that the basic construction of top dresser 10 according to thepreferred teachings of the present invention has been explained,preferred modes of operation of top dresser 10 can be set forth and someof the advantages obtained thereby can be highlighted. For purposes ofexplanation, it will be assumed that hopper 30 contains material to bedispensed, that top dresser 10 has been pulled to a location where thematerial is desired to be dispensed, and engine 64 is running anddriving pump 66. Assuming that the hydraulic fluid is within desiredpressure limits, initially all fluid flow will simply pass through valve86 to tank 68.

When it is desired to start to dispense material, an electric hand heldswitch 92 is moved from an off position to a first actuation position tomove valve 86 to a closed position such that hydraulic fluid is suppliedunder pressure to valve 78. From valve 78, hydraulic fluid issimultaneously supplied to the two paths namely to hydraulic motors 56and to valves 84 and 88. When hydraulic fluid is supplied to hydraulicmotors 56, spinners 54 are rotated by hydraulic motors 56 at a speedcorresponding to the setting of valve 78. In the first position ofswitch 92, valve 88 remains in its normally open position such thathydraulic flow bypasses valve 84 and hydraulic motor 164.

It can then be appreciated that in the preferred form, spinners 54 arerotated before conveyor 140 is actuated. Any material located onspinners 54 will be thrown therefrom by centrifugal forces as the resultof rotation of spinners 54. Thus, spinners 54 will spin off any materiallocated thereon before any material is conveyed thereon by conveyor 140.Thus, clumping of the dispensed material at start up is avoidedaccording to the teachings of the present invention. The speed at whichspinners 54 rotate can be manually adjusted by adjustment of valve 78according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

After spinners 54 have had a chance to spin off any residual material,switch 92 is moved from its first actuation position to its secondactuation position. In the second position of switch 92, valve 86remains in its closed position and valve 88 is also moved to its closedposition such that hydraulic fluid is supplied under pressure to valve84. From valve 84, hydraulic fluid is simultaneously supplied to the twosubpaths namely to hydraulic motor 164 and to tank 68. When fluid issupplied to hydraulic motor 164, the shaft of the second roller isrotated to advance sheeting 70 of conveyor 140 at a speed correspondingto the setting of valve 84. With advancement of sheeting 70, material iscarried by sheeting 70 beneath metering gate 72 and conveyed intodividing chute 62 and onto spinners 54, with the material being thrownby centrifugal forces from spinners 54 and thereby dispensed onto theturf by top dresser 10 as top dresser 10 is being pulled. The amount ofmaterial which is dispensed by top dresser 10 being dependent upon thevertical spacing of metering gate 72 from sheeting 70 and by the speedof sheeting 70, both of which are independently adjustable and upon theground speed of top dresser 10.

When it is desired to stop dispensing material, switch 92 is moved fromthe second position to the first position. When switch 92 is moved fromthe second position, valve 88 is allowed to return to its normally openposition so that hydraulic fluid flow bypasses valve 84 and hydraulicmotor 164. Thus, movement of sheeting 70 relative to hopper 30 isdiscontinued so that no further material is delivered by conveyor 140 tospinner assembly 40. It is advantageous to delay moving switch 92 fromthe first position to the off position so that spinners 54 continue torotate for a time after conveyor 140 is deactivated so that any materialis dispensed from spinners 54 before rotation of spinners 54 is stoppedto eliminate or reduce any residual material remaining on spinners 54 atthe start of the next operation. After the desired delay, switch 92 canbe moved from the first position to the off position whereby valve 86 isallowed to move to its open position so that hydraulic fluid flowbypasses valve 78 and hydraulic motors 56. Thus, rotation of spinners 54in assembly 40 is also discontinued.

It can be appreciated that top dresser 10 according to the preferredteachings of the present invention is advantageous for several reasons.First, conveyor 140 in the form of sheeting 70 of a width which is lessthan the width of hopper 30 is advantageous as generally not beingsubject to corrosion or other degradation as the result of exposure totop dressing material. Additionally, sheeting 70 is less prone to wear,requires less maintenance and repair, and has reduced sliding frictionand thus requires less drive energy input than prior mesh type conveyorsutilized in broadcast spreaders. Additionally, the relatively smoothouter surface including relatively small depressions of sheeting 70according to the teachings of the present invention allows an extremelyminimal amount of top dressing material to be dispensed to spinners 54in comparison to the minimum amount carried by the array of open cellsin mesh type conveyors utilized in prior broadcast spreaders. Althoughprior drop top dressers of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,873initially included conveyors having nonpatterned sheeting (which werereplaced with sheeting including ribs and channels as taught by U.S.Pat. No. 5,307,952 due to its material gripping characteristics), it isbelieved that the field had not previously recognized the advantages ofutilizing sheeting having a shallow patterned outer surface in broadcastspreaders and especially to allow broadcast spreaders to be utilized totop dress extremely minimal amounts of material in a top dressingfunction. Furthermore, according to the teachings of the presentinvention, top dresser 10 has a relatively long length between the frontand back of hopper 30 and specifically of a length to allow loading ofhopper 30 directly from a normal width bucket of a loader.

The hydraulic system according to the teachings of the present inventionis especially advantageous in that it is not possible to mistakenly runconveyor 140 without spinners 54 operating and so that it is possible toclean spinners 54 of top dressing material after material is no longerbeing dispensed by conveyor 140 and/or before additional material isdispensed by conveyor 140 from hopper 30 onto spinners 54. This abilityis especially important in the ability of top dresser 10 according tothe teachings of the present invention in top dressing the material inan equal amount and specifically without clumps or bunches where topdressing material is dispensed at a higher rate than at other locations.In particular, as spinners 54 can be rotated after advancement ofconveyor 140 has been stopped, spinners 54 can broadcast all of thematerial therefrom so that residual material on spinners 54 can beeliminated or at least greatly minimized. Additionally, even if materialshould be located on spinners 54 prior to initial operation, spinners 54can be rotated before advancement of conveyor 140 and therebybroadcasting all of the material therefrom to thereby clean themselvesbefore the dispensing of additional material thereon by conveyor 140.Thus, top dresser 10 according to the teachings of the present inventioncan dispense top dressing material evenly without clumps or bunches.

It should be appreciated that the use of a single switch 92 to controlvalves 86 and 88 according to the preferred teachings of the presentinvention is advantageous. Specifically, before valve 88 can be closedto provide hydraulic flow to hydraulic motor 164 of conveyor 140, switch92 must be moved through the first position to provide hydraulic flow tohydraulic motors 56 of spinners 54 before hydraulic fluid can beprovided to hydraulic motor 164. Similarly, it is not possible to stophydraulic flow to valve 78 without first stopping hydraulic fluid flowto hydraulic motor 164. Thus, it is not possible for the operator toaccidentally operate conveyor 140 without spinners 54 operating whichcould result in clumping or bunching. Therefore, control of thehydraulic system by use of a single switch 92 is simplified in additionto minimizing the number of components which must be inventoried andassembled.

In addition, since valve 84 is in series downstream of valve 78,priority of hydraulic fluid flow is given to hydraulic motors 56 ofspinners 54 to insure that spinners 54 are rotated and rotate at thedesired speed under all conditions. Specifically, in the event that thesum of the hydraulic flow desired to hydraulic motors 56 and 164 exceedthe potential total of the hydraulic flow through pump 66, the hydraulicfluid flow is always assured to spinners 54 so that it is less likelythat the rotation is slowed and/or is not steady, in either caseresulting in the top dressing material being applied unevenly to theturf. Additionally, this is advantageous in allowing the size of pump 66and more importantly of engine 64 to be minimized. In particular,although the sum of the hydraulic flow desired to hydraulic motors 56and 164 in the preferred form could be up to 7 gallons per minute, pump66 is able to pump 6 gallons per minute. If pump 66 were of a size topump 7 gallons per minute, the size of engine 64 may have to beincreased above nine horsepower as provided in the preferred form andadding a significant cost increase in components. Likewise, the totalhydraulic flow to motors 56 and 164 will normally decrease over time dueto wear of engine 64, pump 66, and valves 78, 84, 86, 88, and 90.According to the preferred teachings of the present invention, motors 56always have priority and are rotated at the desired rotational speedunder all conditions.

Furthermore, the use of the first and second pairs of quick disconnecthydraulic fittings 82a and 82b in the first path of valve 78 and theremovable securement of spinner assembly 40 by clips 44 and bolts 46according to the preferred teachings of the present invention isadvantageous in allowing removal of spinner assembly 40 from top dresser10. Thus, top dresser 10 can be utilized as a dump cart for haulingmaterial even though valve 84 and hydraulic motor 164 are in seriesdownstream of valve 78 providing hydraulic flow to hydraulic motors 56.In the most preferred form, deflector assemblies, not shown, can beremovably secured by clips 44 to cross beam 20 of frame 12, if desired,to direct the material from conveyor 140 into a smaller area when topdresser 10 is utilized as a dump cart. It can also be appreciated thatother attachments including clips 44 to allow removable securement toframe 12 can be provided to allow top dresser 10 to be utilized in otherfunctions as desired, and such attachments may include hydraulicallydriven components.

It can then be appreciated that as the top dressing material isbroadcast by top dresser 10 as the result of being thrown by centrifugalforces when dispensed upon rotating spinners 54 according to theteachings of the present invention, top dresser 10 is able to top dressan area of a width up to 20 times the width of conveyor 140, 10 timesthe maximum width of hopper 30 and up to 5 times the width of topdresser 10, with the width being variable in the most preferred form byadjusting the rotational speed of spinners 54 by adjusting the hydraulicfluid flow to the first path by adjustment by valve 78 and by adjustingthe angle of carrier 50. Thus, top dresser 10 according to the teachingsof the present invention can decrease the amount of time needed to topdress a golf course close to 75 percent compared to a conventional droptop dresser. Additionally, the top dressing material dispensed can beminimized by maximizing the rotational speed of spinners 54 and thusmaximizing the width of the area being top dressed, by minimizing therotational speed of motor 164 and thus the speed of sheeting 70 andconveyor 140, and by minimizing the gap between gate 72 and conveyor140.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or generalcharacteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, theembodiments described herein are to be considered in all respectsillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to beindicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. Top dresser comprising, in combination: a framefor movable support, with the frame including a cross beam having a rearface, a top face, and a front face; a hopper for containing top dressingmaterial and mounted on the frame, with the hopper including first andsecond, sloping, closed sides, a bottom and a back, with the first andsecond closed sides extending outwardly at an obtuse angle outwardlyrelative to the bottom; sheeting in the form of an endless belt locatedat the bottom of the hopper so as to have top dressing materialcontained in the hopper gravitationally discharged on the sheeting, withthe back of the hopper including means for metering the amount ofmaterial being dispensed from the hopper by the sheeting, with the outersurface of the sheeting being relatively smooth between the first andsecond sides of the hopper; a hydraulic motor for advancing the sheetingrelative to the hopper; a spinner assembly including at least onerotatable spinner, with each spinner including a hydraulic motor; meansfor removably mounting the spinner assembly to the frame so thatmaterial being dispensed from the hopper by the sheeting is dispensedupon the spinner, with the removably mounting means comprising, incombination: at least one clip secured to the spinner assembly includinga front plate for abutting with the rear face of the cross beam, a topplate extending from the front plate for abutting with the top face ofthe cross beam, and a latching plate extending from the top plate forabutting with the front face of the cross beam, and means extendingthrough the cross beam and the front plate for securing the clip to thecross beam; a first control valve for dividing hydraulic fluid flowbetween a first path and a second path, with the first path includingthe hydraulic motor of each spinner, with the second path bypassing thehydraulic motor of each spinner, with the fluid flow to the first pathbeing less than the total hydraulic fluid flow to the first valve; and asecond control valve, with the second path including the second valve,with the second valve dividing the hydraulic fluid flow of the secondpath between a first subpath and a second subpath, with the firstsubpath including the hydraulic motor for advancing the sheetingmaterial and with the second subpath bypassing the hydraulic motor foradvancing the sheeting material, with the fluid flow to the firstsubpath being less than the total hydraulic fluid flow to the firstvalve, with the second control valve being in series downstream of thefirst control valve to insure that hydraulic fluid flow is available tothe hydraulic motor of each spinner for rotating the spinner wheneverhydraulic fluid flow is available to the hydraulic motor for advancingthe sheeting for dispensing top dressing material onto the rotatingspinner for being broadcast by the rotating spinner.
 2. The top dresserof claim 1 further comprising, in combination: a third valve in parallelwith the second control valve for providing a bypass path of thehydraulic fluid flow around the second valve requiring that the thirdvalve be closed prior to hydraulic fluid flow being available from thefirst valve to the second valve and the hydraulic motor for driving thedispensing means.
 3. The top dresser of claim 2 further comprising, incombination: a fourth valve in parallel with the first control valve forproviding a bypass path of the hydraulic fluid flow around the firstvalve requiring that the fourth valve be closed prior to hydraulic fluidflow being available to the first valve and the hydraulic motor of eachspinner.
 4. The top dresser of claim 3 further comprising, incombination: an electrical switch movable between an off position and afirst actuation position and movable between the first actuationposition and a second actuation position, with the third and fourthvalves being electrically actuated valves, with the fourth valve beingelectrically actuated in both the first and second actuation positions,with the third valve being electrically actuated only in the secondactuation position.
 5. The top dresser of claim 1 wherein the firstvalve adjustably varies the hydraulic fluid flow between the first andsecond paths; and wherein the second valve adjustably varies thehydraulic fluid flow between the first and second subpaths.
 6. The topdresser of claim 1 further comprising, in combination: first and secondpairs of quick disconnect hydraulic fittings in the first path, with oneof the first pair of fittings being carried by the frame and the otherof the first pair of fittings being carried by the spinner assembly,with one of the second pair of fittings being carried by the spinnerassembly and for receipt of the other of the first pair of fittings andwith the other of the second pair of fittings being carried by the frameand for receipt of the one of the first pair of fittings to allowremoval of the hydraulic motor of the rotatable spinner.
 7. Top dressercomprising, in combination: a hopper for containing top dressingmaterial; a spinner assembly including at least one rotatable spinner,with each spinner including a hydraulic motor; means for dispensing topdressing material onto the rotatable spinner, with the dispensing meansbeing driven by a hydraulic motor; a first control valve for dividinghydraulic fluid flow between a first path and a second path, with thefirst path including the hydraulic motor of each spinner, with thesecond path bypassing the hydraulic motor of each spinner, with thefluid flow to the first path being less than the total hydraulic fluidflow to the first valve; and a second control valve, with the secondpath including the second valve, with the second valve dividing thehydraulic fluid flow of the second path between a first subpath and asecond subpath, with the first subpath including the hydraulic motor fordriving the dispensing means and with the second subpath bypassing thehydraulic motor for driving the dispensing means, with the fluid flow tothe first subpath being less than the total hydraulic fluid flow to thefirst valve, with the second control valve being in series downstream ofthe first control valve to insure that hydraulic fluid flow is availableto the hydraulic motor of each spinner for rotating the spinner wheneverhydraulic fluid flow is available to the hydraulic motor for driving thedispensing means for dispensing top dressing material onto the rotatingspinner for being broadcast by the rotating spinner.
 8. The top dresserof claim 7 further comprising, in combination: a third valve in parallelwith the second control valve for providing a bypass path of thehydraulic fluid flow around the second valve requiring that the thirdvalve be closed prior to hydraulic fluid flow being available from thefirst valve to the second valve and the hydraulic motor for driving thedispensing means.
 9. The top dresser of claim 8 further comprising, incombination: a fourth valve in parallel with the first control valve forproviding a bypass path of the hydraulic fluid flow around the firstvalve requiring that the fourth valve be closed prior to hydraulic fluidflow being available to the first valve and the hydraulic motor of eachspinner.
 10. The top dresser of claim 9 further comprising, incombination: an electrical switch movable between an off position and afirst actuation position and movable between the first actuationposition and a second actuation position, with the third and fourthvalves being electrically actuated valves, with the fourth valve beingelectrically actuated in both the first and second actuation positions,with the third valve being electrically actuated only in the secondactuation position.
 11. The top dresser of claim 9 further comprising,in combination: a pressure relief valve for reducing hydraulic flow tothe first control valve under higher than desired hydraulic pressure;and a manifold block including the pressure relief valve and the second,third, and fourth valves to minimize leakage points.
 12. The top dresserof claim 7 wherein the first valve adjustably varies the hydraulic fluidflow between the first and second paths; and wherein the second valveadjustably varies the hydraulic fluid flow between the first and secondsubpaths.
 13. The top dresser of claim 7 wherein the first path includesfirst and second pairs of quick disconnect hydraulic fittings to allowremoval of the hydraulic motor of each spinner from the hydraulic fluidflow and to allow hydraulic fluid flow to the second valve and to thehydraulic motor for driving the dispensing means.
 14. The top dresser ofclaim 13 further comprising, in combination: a frame including a crossbeam having a rear face, a top face and a front face, with the hopperbeing mounted to the frame; and means for removably mounting the spinnerassembly to the frame comprising, in combination: at least one clipsecured to the spinner assembly including a front plate for abuttingwith the rear face of the cross beam, a top plate extending from thefront plate for abutting with the top face of the cross beam, and alatching plate extending from the top plate for abutting with the frontface of the cross beam, and means extending through the cross beam andthe front plate for securing the clip to the cross beam.
 15. The topdresser of claim 7 wherein the hopper includes first and second, slopingclosed sides, a bottom and a back, with the first and second closedsides extending outwardly at an obtuse angle outwardly relative to thebottom; and wherein the dispensing means comprises sheeting in the formof an endless belt located at the bottom of the hopper so as to have topdressing material contained in the hopper gravitationally discharged onthe sheeting, with the back of the hopper including means for meteringthe amount of material being dispensed from the hopper by the sheeting,with the outer surface of the sheeting being relatively smooth betweenthe first and second sides of the hopper, with the hydraulic motor fordriving the dispensing means comprising a hydraulic motor for advancingthe sheeting relative to the hopper.
 16. Top dresser comprising, incombination: a hopper for containing top dressing material, with thehopper including first and second, sloping closed sides, a bottom and aback, with the first and second closed sides extending outwardly at anobtuse angle outwardly relative to the bottom; sheeting in the form ofan endless belt located at the bottom of the hopper so as to have topdressing material contained in the hopper gravitationally discharged onthe sheeting, with the back of the hopper including means for meteringthe amount of material being dispensed from the hopper by the sheeting,with the outer surface of the sheeting being relatively smooth betweenthe first and second sides of the hopper; means for advancing thesheeting relative to the hopper; and a spinner assembly including acarrier, at least one rotatable spinner rotatable mounted to thecarrier, with the carrier being pivotally mounted relative to the hopperabout a transversely extending carrier axis, and means for selectivelypositioning the carrier at a pivotal angle relative to the hopper, withmaterial being dispensed by the sheeting onto the rotating spinner beingbroadcast by the rotating spinner.
 17. Top dresser comprising, incombination: a hopper for containing top dressing material, with thehopper including first and second, sloping closed sides, a bottom and aback, with the first and second closed sides extending outwardly at anobtuse angle outwardly relative to the bottom; sheeting in the form ofan endless belt located at the bottom of the hopper so as to have topdressing material contained in the hopper gravitationally discharged onthe sheeting, with the back of the hopper including means for meteringthe amount of material being dispensed from the hopper by the sheeting,with the outer surface of the sheeting being relatively smooth betweenthe first and second sides of the hopper; means for advancing thesheeting relative to the hopper; a spinner assembly including at leastone rotatable spinner and mounted relative to the hopper so thatmaterial being dispensed by the sheeting is dispensed onto the rotatingspinner for being broadcast by the rotating spinner; a frame including across beam having a rear face, a top face and a front face, with thehopper being mounted to the frame; and means for removably mounting thespinner assembly to the frame comprising, in combination: at least oneclip secured to the spinner assembly including a front plate forabutting with the rear face of the cross beam, a top plate extendingfrom the front plate for abutting with the top face of the cross beam,and a latching plate extending from the top plate for abutting with thefront face of the cross beam, and means extending through the cross beamand the front plate for securing the slip to the cross beam.
 18. Topdresser comprising, in combination: a frame for movable support, withthe frame including a cross beam having a rear face, a top face, and afront face; a hopper for containing top dressing material and mounted onthe frame; a spinner assembly including at least one rotatable spinner;means for removably mounting the spinner assembly to the framecomprising, in combination: at least one clip secured to the spinnerassembly including a front plate for abutting with the rear face of thecross beam, a top plate extending from the front plate for abutting withthe top face of the cross beam, and a latching plate extending from thetop plate for abutting with the front face of the cross beam, and meansextending through the cross beam and the front plate for securing theclip to the cross beam.
 19. The top dresser of claim 18 wherein thespinner assembly includes a support, with the clip secured to thesupport; and wherein the top dresser further comprises, in combination:at least one rubber grommet mounted in one of the support and the crossbeam, with the rubber grommet abutting with the other of the support andthe cross beam.
 20. The top dresser of claim 19 wherein two clips aresecured to the support in a spaced relation.
 21. The top dresser ofclaim 18 wherein the spinner assembly further comprises, in combination:a hydraulic motor for rotating each rotatable spinner and having a firstpath for hydraulic fluid flow; and first and second pairs of quickdisconnect hydraulic fittings in the first path, with one of the firstpair of fittings being carried by the frame and the other of the firstpair of fittings being carried by the spinner assembly, with one of thesecond pair of fittings being carried by the spinner assembly and forreceipt of the other of the first pair of fittings and with the other ofthe second pair of fittings being carried by the frame and for receiptof the one of the first pair of fittings to allow removal of thehydraulic motor of the rotatable spinner.